Wales prop Gethin Jenkins admits he is feeling the pressure before facing Argentina this Saturday.
Hailed as "world-class" by Rob Howley, the Toulon prop has been forced to battle for the starting spot at his new club with former England prop Andrew Sheridan, settling for several outings off the bench.
With Paul James performing well at new club Bath, Jenkins admits he was concerned over whether he would be selected, but will pack down against Argentina alongside Matthew Rees and new boy Aaron Jarvis for 91st cap.
"As everybody knows I haven't played as many games as I would like leading into this game, but on the positive side I have been involved in 15 matches with Toulon." Jenkins told Press Association Sport.
"I might not have played that much but I have played for a minimum of 20-25 minutes every game, some of them 40 minutes, and had two or three starts. So I am quite fresh, ready to go and looking forward to getting stuck in for my country.
"You always have a point to prove when you put on the Welsh jersey, nobody takes it for granted and I did not take my place for granted in this series and there are people putting pressure on me.
"Paul James has been playing well in England and Ryan Bevington has been starting regularly for the Ospreys so there is always a point to prove and this is the stage to prove it on."
Whilst Mike Phillips missed out on selection for Saturday due to being away in France, Jenkins stated that he had little choice but to move abroad given the financial difficulties facing the Welsh regions.
"It was difficult missing Poland but I didn't have much choice at the time, I did not get a contract on the table so it was my only choice was to go elsewhere, I made that decision and I have to stand by it," Jenkins added.
Comments
pierredelot1 says...
He's been outplayed by Sheridan at Toulon, hense the bench and hasn't managed to shine when on the park, so Wales will expect. James should be out there, but all of a sudden Wales look a little short of quality up front especially bearing in mind the ability and experience of this Argentine pack. Wales will need ball from somewhere if they want to win this one and it will be tight.
Posted 12:49 08th November 2012